Ajax will kick off the new Champions League season tonight at 9 p.m. in Lisbon against Sporting Portugal. In a group that also consists of Borussia Dortmund and Besiktas, wintering in the billion-dollar ball is the big goal. A good start is more than desirable for the team from Amsterdam to reach the eighth finals, so Erik ten Hag’s team is playing for the win. On the hunt for the three points, Davy Klaassen is missing in the lineup anyway.
Maarten Stekelenburg was still missing against PEC Zwolle last Saturday due to an injury. He was replaced in that game by Remko Pasveer. Unlike Klaassen, who was also not there in Zwolle, Stekelenburg did travel to Lisbon. The experienced goalkeeper has recovered in time and will start under the bar tonight, Ten Hag already revealed. The trainer said that Nicolás Tagliafico is able to play for ninety minutes, but according to The Telegraph that won’t happen. The Argentine left-back is expected to have to settle for a place on the bench.
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In the left back position, Daley Blind will most likely be the preferred choice. Lisandro Martínez and Jurriën Timber form the center, Devyne Rensch starts on the right. By whom Klaassen will be replaced ‘out of ten’, Ten Hag did not want to say during the press conference on Monday evening. Last Saturday the trainer chose Steven Berghuis. Alternatives such as Zakaria Labyad (ill) and Mohammed Kudus (injured) cannot be used. Berghuis therefore seems to be the most logical choice, although Dusan Tadic can also handle that position.
Ten Hag was asked about the option of posting Tadic in Klaassen’s position. “It is always a consideration, because I know that that variant is very successful,” said Ten Hag. “But you look at different aspects. You also look at the weakness of the opponent. Where can we hurt them? We make a choice based on that.” Tadic, who also joined the press talk, said he has no problems having to play at number 10. “We must have the quality to be able to play in a different position. That is not a problem for me, we have to do everything we can to win.”
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Berghuis is expected to replace Klaassen, with Edson Álvarez and Ryan Gravenberch behind him. Antony will probably start as a right winger, Tadic on the left and Sébastien Haller in the point of the attack. The team from Amsterdam still has to do without the suspended André Onana. Sporting lacks Sebastián Coates (suspension) and Pedro Goncalves (injury).
Probable Ajax line-up: Stekelenburg; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Álvarez, Berghuis, Gravenberch; Anthony, Haller, Tadic.